
GlassPilUl, 
Book J/3 1 7 



POEMS 



DEDICATION 



-Y^tW^ 



Nir(1gt« 



\ 

COLONEL DORUS M. FOX, 

EDITOR OF THE "-PRESEXT AGE," 

AXD 

PRESIDENT OF " AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF 

SPIRITUALISTS," 

AN EARNEST ADVOCATE OF RIGHT AND TRUTH, 

A CONSCIENTIOUS TEACHER AND FAITHFUL LABORER IN 

THE FIELD OF REFORM, 

WITH FEELINGS OF THE MOST SINCERE FRIENDSHIP 
AND PROFOUND RESPECT. 

J. WILLIAM VAX Nx\MEE. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by 

J. WILLIAM VAN NAMEE. 

the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States 

for the Southern District of New York. 



IN EXCHAME 
APR 9- 1917 



CONTENTS. 

Autumn. 

Sad and Lonely. 

At Rest. 

The Drunkard's Son. 

Watching and Waiting. 

Always Wear a Smile. 

Mind and Matter. 

A Truth. 

A Vision. 

Far Away from God. 

Lines — to Mr. and Mrs. Benedict. 

Work for All. 

Gone from Earth. 

We Met. 

The Good. 

Spirit Visitants. 

This World. 

Temperance Song. 

The Betrayed. 

The Voice Within. 

The Last Mght of the Year. 

Summer. 

Our Darling. 

Leave Me Alone. 

Light. 

Rest. 

Early Love. 

The Spirit Land. 



A WOED. 

I offer no excuse or apology for presenting to 
the public my little unpretentious volume of 
poems ; neither do I claim for them any extra- 
ordinary degree of merit. Many of them were 
written at the dictation of friends in the ^' Sum- 
mer Land/'' the presence of whose purified 
spirits suggested sentiments and ideas, which 
otherwise neyer would have found expression 
from my pen. I have gathered them together. 
for publication in book form, at the suggestion 
of those dear ones gone before, and I most earn- 
estly wish they were worthier of the favor which 
has already been extended to them, as they have 
appeared from time to time in magazines and 
newspapers. But, such as they are, I send them 
out on the '"'broad sea of literature," hoping 
they may find a welcome at the firesides of some, 
and speak words of cheer and comfort to sor- 
rowing hearts, and point them a brighter home 
above. 

J. Willi AM Vax Namee. 



Hope for the Morrow. 

Going Home. 

Indian Summer. 

Waiting-. 

The Old Grave Yard. 

October. 

Dreams of Youth. 

This World is Bright. 

How Sadly Now the Hours Go B}^ 

Look Up. 

Morning. 

Unseen Friends. 

Friendship. 

The Song My Mother Sung. 

I Pray for Thee. 

Memories. 

Lines to Dr. Slade. 

Jimmy Loves Me. 

I Will Not Weep. 

I Crave an Hour with Thee. 

They Tell Me Thou Art False. 

Life's Lessons. 

Stanzas. 

The Good-Bye Kiss. 

Betrayed. 

Will I Be True ? 

To A Bride. 

Ever Be Hopeful. 

I Have a Gem. 

The Dead. 

'Tis Sweet to Know. 

A Love Song. 

A Breath of Slander. 

The Storm. 

The Last. 

Severed. 



Come to 31y Home in the West 

With Thee.^ ' 

Woman's Love. 

Do Yon Ever Think, Love? 

I Have Loved Thee. 

Speak Not The Word. 

Shadows. 

Twilight Visitants. 

Hope On, Hope Ever. 

On the Death of An Infant. 

To a Friend. 

A Premonition. 

Severed. 

Change. 

Life Is Not All Smishine. 

Oh ! Think of the Sailor. 

Brightly Looks the Future. 

I Am Thinking, Thinking. 

Stanzas. 

Musings. 



AUTUMN. 

The year is slowly feeling now, 

Its twilight hours have come ; 
Dim shadows rest on mountain brow, 

And in my woodland home. 
The hills and^ valleys broad and wide, 
The stately mountain's sloping sid.e, 
xA.re now embroidered with rich 2:old, 

And tints of red and brown ; 
The glory brightens, fold on fold, 

Beneath the Autumn's crown. 

The laucrhino: streams sine: sadly low. 

As, Avinding on their way. 
They glisten in the sun's warjji glow 

That o'er their waters plays ; 
And flowers that were the Summer's pride 
No longer float upon the tide ; 
The cruel frost has robbed their bloom 

Of all their opulent perfume, 
And now they hang their heads with gloom. 

While we possess their own legume. 

And as we drink this glory in. 

The richness of the Autumn time. 



And seek Iresh wisdom bright to win 
From Nature's voice in softest rhyme, 

We also hear the foot -fall of cold Death 

i^mong the rustling leaves — like passing breath ; 

And thoughts grow solemn and profound. 
As viewing the bright imagery of God, 

We soar beyond all sublunary sound, 
To heights by mortal feet untrod. 

Oh, glorious season of the year! 

Full of rich thought and visions pure ; 
E'en while we drop a silent tear, 

We w4sh thou might for e'er endure ; 
For e'er be wrapt thy glories o'er the earth. 
And not to Winter's chilly winds give birth : 
But vain the wish, our sad hearts feel ; 

The days pass slow^ly, surely by. 
And bring with them the woe and weal 

That makes up life beneath the skv. 



if©4c 



SAD AXD LONELY. 

Sad and lonely I 
Sitting all the long day through. 
Gazing on the ocean blue. 



Watching, waiting, 
Hoping ever; 
But he'll come to you. Oh! never! 

Sad and lonely ! 

Thinking of the by-gone hours, 

When life was hung with hope and flowers 
Bright and gay — 
Alas ! now fled ; 

Hope lies withered, crushed and dead ! 

Sad and lonely ! 
Day follows day, night follows night. 
And yet tliere comes no tidings bright 

From o'er the sea ; 

Amid its foam 
His manlv form has found a home: 



>>©4« 



AT REST. 

Fold her white and wasted hands 
Over pulseless, quiet breast, 

Speak in only whispered tones. 
She is now at rest, at rest, 

T'read with careful, easy tread. 



10 

For the loved one is asleep, 
Death has calmed her troubles dow, 
And we can but pray and weep. 

Gone the happy, loving smile, 

Stilled the joyous, ringing voice. 
That warbled songs and spake with love. 

Making every heart rejoice ; 
Closed the eyes forever now, 

She has gone to rest, to rest. 
Scatter blossoms pure and pale 

Over the still pulseless breast. 
She has gone to realms above, 

Gone to join the angel throng. 
And as twiliglit sliadows come 

We can almost hear her song, 
Do not weep, she's happy now. 

In her home among the blest, 
Not a care-mark on her brow, 

She's at rest, yes, she's at rest. 

And, though her earthly form decay. 

Her spirit pure will ever live. 
And she'll come from spheres of light 

Messages of love to give. 
She will come to cheer our gloom. 

And point to us the way that's best; 
Blessed comfort ! and we know 

She's at rest, ves, she's at I'est. 



11 

THE DrwUXKAPvD'S SOX. 

His clothes are worn and shabby, too, 

Care's marks are on his face, 
And of the scalding, bitter tears, 

There is a certain trace. 
He feels the pitying look of scorn 

That falls npon him now, 
And as -his heart witli sorrow bleeds, 

He wipes his moistened brow. 

He hears the whispered words that fall 

Erom lips of youth and age, 
He's turned thus early in his life 

O'er many a bitter page. 
And when he hears bright, merry bo}? 

Tell of their father's fame, 
He sighs to think that he must bear 

A drunken fathers shame. 

A]id, though he bravely struggles on 
In weary paths of life. 

He knows his Avay is flowerless 
And full of weary strife ; 

He knows and feels the keen disgi'ace 
That darkens every ioy. 

And shades the sun beams on iiis way- 
He is a drunkard's boy. 

0, take him kindly by tlie hand 

And lead his steps aright : 
Help him with sympathy and love 

To battle for the right; 



13 

Let not despair liis young- heart fill. 
Lest dark temptation win 

Him to the devious ways of vrrong. 
Of misery and sin. 



WATCHING AND WAITING. 

The wind howls dismally outside, 

The fire burns low within, 
The shaded lamp throws sickly light 

O'er the face as pale and thin — 
The face that's pressed against the pane. 

The cold, smooth pane of glass. 
To watch the footsteps on the walk. 

That come, and go, and jmss. 

A weary sigh floats from the lips. 

The white lips tightly pressed, 
A sigh, that in its desolate depth.- 

Tells of a heart distressed. 
The little time-piece on the wall 

Points to the midnight hour, 
The baby calmly sleeps, the while, 

Within its cradle bower. 

Tlie moments speed on wings away. 



13 

The street is all deserted now, — 
And yet that th'eless Avatcher stands, 

With aching heart and brow, 
Gazing out into the night, 

Waiting for the return 
Of one who won her maiden love 

With words slie could not spurn. 

Watching and waiting, thus she stands, 

As hours take their flight, 
While he to whom her love was pledged 

Spends all the hours of night 
With gay companions o'er their wine, 

Their sparkling bright champagne — 
Ne'er thinking of the loved ones dear 

Watching for them in vain. 

And when the early morning's dawn 

Breaks up the revel feast. 
When the bright sun comes up 

Behind the hill tops, east. 
With muddled brain, unsteady nerves, 

They seek their quiet homes, 
And stretch themselves to drunken rest, 

'Mid curses deep and groans, 

Alas! there's many a loving v/ife. 

With tender, clinging babe. 
Whose heart, of misery and grief, 

A resting place is made ; 
Many a watching, waiting one, 

For truant steps to come; 



u 

Many a shadow cast by (Iriiik 
Around the hearth of iiome. 

And while Intemperance — tlie foe. 

The direst foe of man — 
Leads o'er the earth, unchecked, 

Its deadty, stealthy van, 
Many a heart will watch and wait, 

Many an eye grow dim, 
Many a cup be filled with gi-ief — 

Filled, flowii]g o'er the brim. 

Many a life-bud fail to o\)q 

Into a blossom pure, 
And many a weary load to ])eaj'. 

Many a trial to endure ; 
Many a crime, and many a Arrong, 

Many a shadow cast. 
And many a life be wasted in 

The poisoned cup at List. 



K3Ve<o 



ALWAYS WEAR A SMILE. 

What if stern fate has been unkind 
And fortune on us frowned ? 

What if our path be hard to tread 
O'er rough, uneven ground? 



15 

Wlial: if our neiglibors have briglit wealth, 

While we are poor tlie while ? 
Let's langh at fate, and merry be. 

And always wear a smile. 
What if the clouds obscure the sun. 

And rain-drops on us fall ? 
What if no Sowers bloom for us. 

And darkness covers all ? 
Let us remember that 'twill be 

For but a little wliile, 
For sunbeams surely follow clouds. 

If we but wear a smile. 



MIXD AKD MATTER. 

Some men, because they count their wealth. 

By thousands o'er and o'er, 
And revel in rich pageantry, 

Think life has nothiug more ; 
liutwith a haughty pride they tread 

The path of life below, 
Surround themselves w4th elegance 

Of pomp and costly show. 



And scorn tlieir neighbors poor and plain, 

And wrap themselves in pride, 
And never seek their want of brains 

From searching eyes to hide. 
Oh, no ! For countless wealth to them 

Is more than gifts of mind ; 
But, though their purse be full, their heads 

Ayq empty, you will find. 

Let them enjoy their sensual bliss, 

Their wealth, their care, their strife ; 
But, Oh ! give me the wealth of mind, 

To brighter make this life — 
A wealth that cannot cease to live, 

That no man can defraud, 
A Avealth that this world cannot give, 

A boon divine from God. 



»«'^iC-e- 



A TKUTH. 

The oiies we love the dearest, 
Those Avhom we feel the nearest, 

The brightest and the best. 
Those whose smile is sweetest, 
Those whose hearts are meetest. 

Go to their heavenly rest. 



17 



The eyes by lo> e made briglitest, 
Tlie heiirts by hope made lightest, 

The tender and tlie true, 
Leave all their earthly treasure 
To know the blissful measure 

Of life be3x>nd the blue. 

Then let us not so sadh^, 
IS^or yet v»^ith grief so madi}'. 

Mourn for the early dead ; 
For ilowers of peace and gladness, 
Unmixed with thorns of sadness, 

Will crown the angel's head. 

And when life's lamp grows dim^mer, 
And burn with but a p-limmer. 

And we are called above. 
We'll hear the welcome voices, 
In which the heart rejoices, 

In God's OAvn home of love. 



A V I S I y. 

They laid her cold form 'jieath the earth, 

And said that she was dead ; 
They planted flowers to blossom bright 
In summer's warm and happy light. 

And wreaths above her s]iread. 



18 

The}' said, in words of tender love, 

That the broad river she had crossed, 
That heaYen liad opened wide its door, 
And v/e could see her never more — 
That she, to us, was lost. 

But, oh, while I was vv'ceping tears 

Of grief and anguish deep, 
I raised my pleading, tear-filled ej-cs 
Up to the star-bejeweled skies, 

While others were in sleep. 
I felt a thrill, a sudden thrill, 

A hand clasped mine — 
Not cold with chill of death, 
But warm with life aud breath 

As yours or mine. 
I felt a breath upon my cheek, 

A warm, untainted breath — 
Not like a damp and chilling mist. 
That came from lips that had been kissed, 

Kissed by the tyrant Death. 
I heard a voice in accents low 

Speak words of tender love. 
And then I knew that she had come 
From her far distant, happy liome. 

Her home in lands above. 
My tears were dried, and sweetest joy 

Stole o'er my saddened heart ; 
I knew her spirit talked to me. 
And bade tlie darkened shadows flee. 

And evermore depart. 



^9 

And now I know she is not lost. 

But only gone before, 
And that her spirit comes again 
To driye away each throb of pain ; 

I'll mourn and weep no more. 

But raise my eyes with faith aloft. 

And wait her coming briglit ; 
AYait, and hear her spirit voice, 
That bids my world-bound heart rejoice, 
And brings me peace and light. 

Oh, blessed comfort to us here, 

That those we love the best 
Can come to hold communion sweet, 
Can with our earth-bound spirits meet, 

And brinsf from care a rest. 



3>SKC 



FAR AWAY FROM GOD. 

I've been straying far from God, 
Far from the beaten path of right. 

Into ways of sin and darkness — 
Darkness deep as starless night ; 



20 

And 111}^ feet are weary straying 
In the paths of sin and wrong, 

And I feel so weak, so weary, 
Pitying Father, make me strong. 

Let me come, 0, Heavenly Father, 

Back into Thy blessed fold, 
Let me feel Thy love within me. 

As in happy days of old ; 
Pardon every sin and failing. 

Give me peace and hope again, 
That I may no longer feel this 

Cankering, gnawing, weary pain. 



L I X E S . 

[Dedicated to Mr. and 3Irs. H. Benedict, Put-in-Bay, Ohio.} 

Beantifnl Isle, of beauty rare. 

Where ISTatnre's hand has made 
Scenes that show snch delicate touch 

Of exquisite light and shade; 
Caverns that sleep in darkness deep, 

Beneath the grass-grown earth. 
Whose dark walls echo the merry sounds 

Of laughter and hearty mirth. 



21 

Beautiful groves of stately trees, 

Waying their green arms to and fro; 
Vines that creep on the lattice neat, 

On which the wine-grapes grow; 
Yf ave-washed shores, where scattered lie 

Shells from Lake Erie's deep, 
And quiet nooks, where JN'ature charms 

The weary soul to sleep. 

And all these heautiful scenes so rare. 

As vivid as life it seems, 
Are caught by the hand of Genius bright, 

Like the spirit of happy dreams. 
To be traced in perfect symmetry, 

And beauty of light and shade. 
On the magic paper, where fadeless rests 

The impression, when once 'tis made. 

Oh ! Art divine, by Genius ruled. 

We bless thee for the power 
That can so truly trace the charms 

Of Nature's brightest hour ; 
That when the years roll slowly on, 

We can recall at will 
The scenes that woke our bounding hearts 

To admiration's thrill. 



23 
WOEK FOR ALL. 

There's work for us all to do, 

Blessings ^\c all can bestow. 
Sorrows that we can avert, 

Lighten atiliction's stern blow ; 
Hearts that are breakinsr amid 

The cares and the toils of this life, 
Hearts that are hungry for love, 

Amid wretchedness, toiling and strife. 

There's work for ns all to do, 

Work for the good and the just ; 
There are fainting hearts to be raised, 

Hearts that are trampled in dust ; 
There are souls that arc panting for light. 

And no hand to guide them to truth, 
There is' sickness, and sorrow, and death, 

In age, middle life and in youth. 

There's work for us all to do, 

There's a way if we have but the vvill : 
We must labor Yvhile liying below, 

We cannot do good sitting still ; 
We cannot obey God's commands — 

Our Father who dwells up above — 
If we pass all our life time in ease — 

We must labor, and labor for love. 



23 
GO:^E FEOM EARTH. 

[DedicaLcd to the hitsbaiid ani cliildren of 3Ir?. Auu S. Coom'bs, 
who passed to the HigliCi- Life, Au;4Uit 27ih, ISoS.] 

I. 

The an2:els came, in robes of \vhite. 

And hovered in the room, 
Where you sat in the flickering light. 
Watching the weary spirit's flight 

From this world's' care and gloom. 

II. 
They came., and spread their wliite wings o^e^*" 

The couch of her you love : 
Her lips spoke to you then no more, 
They bore her to the otlier shore, 

The land of light above. 

III. 
You pressed your lips upon her brow. 

Upon her cold clay cheek : 
You turned with weary step and slow, 
Wondering vviien you, too, miglit go 

TTnto the Master meek. 

IV. 

You tried to dry the falling tears 

That welled up from your heart. 
As thinking of the weary years, 
The unfilled hopes, the dreaded fears, 
That are of life a part. 



T. 

As thinking of the future here. 

The Yoid stern Death had made. 
The shadows which would linger near 
For man}^ a long and weary year, 
Until life's prospects fade. 

YI. 

And. you resign your eartiy cross, 

And pass beyond the stream 
That flows between you and your loss, 
Wliose darkened billovv's wave and toss 
Like some dark, dismal dream. 

Yir. 
And 3^ou pass out into the land 

Beyond the gloomy grave, 
Where dwells the pure, exalted band, 
Led by a Fathers gentle hand, 

Whose love can bless and save. 

YIII. 

And though you weep, you know in truth 

Your loss has been her gain, 
For, from her days of early youtli 
She exercised most perfect truth, 

And now is stilled each throb of pain. 

IX. 

The angels bore her up above 

To mansions of the blest, 
Where hope, and joy, and peace, and love, 
Shall nestle like a holy dove 

Within her lieart at rest. 



25 



X. 
May Cod luuk down in mercy mild 

From that blest home on high, 
And drop sweet blessings on her child, 
Dispel the shadows dark and T^■ild 

l''hat seem to linger nigh. 

XI. 

May angels "\\'ipe the tears away 

And bid you look above : 
That, as yon lift yonr heart and pray, 
You'll find sweet comfort, day l\v day, 

From her von fondly love. 



>>er<c 



W E M E ^J\ 

We met in a ball-room, 

'Mid glare of the light, 
'Mid mnsic and dancing, 

On festival night ; 
My eyes looked in thine, 

As brightly they shone, 
1 felt then a power 

I never dare own. 

We met in a parlor 
Darkened by gloom, 

Where lay a pale form 
Enshrined for the tomb. 



26 

1 looked in thiriC eyes, 
Bedewed tlien witli tean> 

And felt then a power 
Unchanged by the yeiir>. 

We met at the altar 

To pledge vows of love, 
And angels so smilingly 

Looked down from aboNc. 
The years have gone by 

Since we met, noble heart. 
The years have gone by. 

And now we are }>art(;d. 



ooj*4c>-t- 



THE (i 1). 
The memory of the good will \i\c 

Till Time with age is hoary : 
Good deeds will lit mortality 

For everlasting glory. 

When hearts are bonnd wiih pain and can 

A word in kindness spoken 
May lift the clond from that life >ky. 

And heal a lieart that's broken. 



We all have po^\er for good or ill. 

What e'er onr lot may be ; 
Then let ns use that power for good, 

AVliile sailing- o'er life',s bca. 



37 

That wlieu we end this life below 
And reach the other shore, 

We may obtain exalted ground 
Where troubles oome no more. 



— ^^V'lKs 



SPIRIT VISITANTS. 

0, tell me not that spirits bright, 

In lands beyond the sun, 
Cannot commune with loved ones here. 

Whose life course is not run ; 
They often come, in robes of light, 

To cheer the sorrowing heart — 
To wipe the tears from pallid cheeks, 

And bid all grief depart. 

They often come to point the way 

That leads to truth and right ; 
They hover round our paths by day, 

Our couches in the night. 
They guard us through those silent hours, 

And make our rest more sweet. 
Although we cannot see their forms, 

Nor hear their pattering feet. 

We often hear their voices low, 

Like strains of music pure, 
As they impart to us new life 

And courage to endure ; 



They stiviigthon all our good rt'solvcs 
Aud buoy us on life's wave. 

Above the depths of sorroAv's gloom, 
To triumph o'er the grave. 

They tell us in that blessed world, 
. Where all is light and joy. 
That love, and peace, and ha])})iMess, 

Exist without alloy ; 
T'hat if we are but faithful true. 

And live a lite oF love. 
We all may join their ha[>py liands 

III r(\-!lms of Miss above. 



T H 1 ^ W () n L I). 

'i'his world is but a. dreary plaee. 

Its joys and pleasures vain, 
its bliss is always mingled with 

The deepest, darkest pain ; 
The sun may shine upon us bright, 

But soon the cloiuls ai)pear, 
And scatter darh'ning shadows 'round, 

To make it all look drear. 

The roses bright uuxy sweetly l)loom, 

But soon they fade away. 
And where they scattered their j^erfunu 

We find 1)11 1 drear decay. 



2t) 

And ill l\\c h;i])pic.-t. Ijri^-litc.si fituirt;, 
Comes sometimes dark despair, 

To drive away the golden dream >i 
Tlinl li 11 ire red kindly ilun-e. 

The iVit'iids \vc loved in early years 

Leave earth Ibr heavenly rest. 
And in repose their bodies lie 

Upon the cold earth's breast. 
And thus we meet the clianging seenes 

That are of life a part, 
And when we think of happiness 

A shadow falls upon tlie hi'art. 

\h\t tiiere's alaiidoi' bliss abovi\ 

Where care can never come, 
Where angels pure will welcome us, 

Our sweet and heavenly liome. 
And, if we bear the burdens here 

With meekness and witli love, 
AV^e'll win the crown ])repart"<l for all — 

For all. in clinu'S abovv. 

Then let us nmrniiir not atgi-iel'. 

But pray for strength to bear 
Each sorrow that upon us falls. 

And bravely meet each care. 
And when Death's summons comes to us, 

We'll lay our burdens down. 
And pass from earth unto that land 

VVhere waits for us the crown. 



3D 
TEMPERANCE SONG. 

Take the ruby wine away. 

The sparkUng, bright champagne ; 
Fill not tlie glittering glasses up 

With liquid fire again. 
The ruby wine will stain the heart, 

And bitter make the life ; 
There's danger in the brimming cup, 

There lurks disease and strife. 

It fills the mind with base desires, 

And nerves the murderer's arm, 
It gives the robber courage false 

To conquer all alarm ; 
It sows the seed of dark discord 

Where peace and quiet dwell, 
And brings to happy homes a grief 

Too deep for words to tell. 

Th3n fill the goblet to the brim 

With water pure and bright — 
With water free and sparkling clear, 

It gives a better light 
Than ruby wine or rich champagne, 

And comes from Heaven above ; 
Ifc is a beverage made by Him 

Who rules hv deeds of love. 



31 
THE BETRAYED. 

The. sk}^ above seems not so bright; 

The flowers that spring up at my feet 
Lack something of that fragrance light 

That used to make them dear and sweet ; 
The songs the little robins sing 

Are sadder strains than those of yore, 
And every bird-song gay will bring 

Thoughts of days long gone before. 

1 know not why sweet nature's voice 

Calls up sad memories of the past ; 
lint I can never more rejoice. 

For sorrow dark now chains me fast ; 
This bright earth wears for me a frown, 

The sky, the air, all — all is dark ; 
My wretchedness and care I cannot droAvn, 

And hope has left not e'en one spark. 

Hack to the sweet, pure, holy past 

My aching heart forever turns— 
To the glad time ere sin and misery had cast 

Their sin upon me ; oh, my sick heart yearns 
To know the sweetness of those banished years, 

Tlie heavenly innocence and peace, 
But, oh, mine are a Magdalen's sad tears, 

And cannot purchase sweet release. 

But when we reach the light of Heaven's dome, 
Betrayer and Betraj'ed shall stand 

Before their Judge on the bless'd moon ; 
And spirits in tlie Summer Laud 



Will plead for woman wj-oiiged — boi:r:ijed; 

And penitential tears will reap 
A rich delight for lier wdio's strayed 
Far from her sacred Master's feet. 



o^^c 



THE VOICE WITHIN. 

'I'here is a voice within onr heart, 

AYliich speaks Avith silent, honest power, 
When we are in the ways of wrong, 

Or in temptation's trying hour. 
When ere our feet are straying from 

The beaten path of truth and right, 
We hear the warning of tlxat voice 

In silent watches of the night. 
Then let us heed it when we hear. 

Lest, if we fail to give it heed, 
Its voice will cease to warn us when 

Of warn ins: most we stand in need. 



-00^«<C-0-- 



LAST NIGHT OF THE YEAR. 

The bells are tolling in the towers, 

Towers far and near, 
'I'he wind is sadly moaning now 



33 

O'er wood, and liill, and mere ; 
It seems the saddest night of all, 
The last night of the year. 

The last! how sad the word 

Falls from our quivering lip, 
As wc, beside the open hearth, 

In dreamy silence sit ; 
As we watch, and burning low 

The taper we have lit. 
The spring came gaily o'er the earth. 

With birds, and trees, and flowers. 
And perfume floated in the air 

Through all the passing hours, 
And sunbeams mingled with 

The oft descending showers. 
Bright summer followed on apace, 

With scarf of dew and mist, 
And golden butter-cups so bright, 

By sunbeams softly kissed, 
To songs of waterfalls and birds. 

The passing hours w^ould list. 
And brilliant blossoms, red and wdiite, 

And purple as tlie wine. 
And blue and golden, richly hung 

From bush, and tree, and vine. 
And life below seemed to us then 

In richness, most divine. 
Then slowly autumn came 

With regal, fruit-twined crown, 
And dropped her many treasures bright 



34 

or red. and gold., luid brown, 
With lavish hand she sent 

The treasnrcs scattering down. 
And *mid the solemn wail of winds, 

And dripping, clouded skies, 
She left us quietly, with all 

Her dazzling, gaily-colored guise ; 
And lo ; the white-white winter came 

To greet our wondering eyes. 
And the days have slowly passed 

One by one away. 
And on this, the old year's last, 

AYe lift our hearts, to pray, — 
That during the new year to come 

From duty we'll ne'er stray. 
The closing year has brought to sonn.' 

Its load of pain and care, 
And darkened shadows linger no\\ 

In gloomy richness where 
A year ago, the sunbeams gay 

iVIade all look bright and fair. 
And 'neath the spotless robe of snow 

Many a darling sleeps, 
While mourning hearts, in loiu-ly liome 

In hitter anguish weep, 
And o'er loved relics of the past 

Their weary vigils keep. 
But still, the old year, dying now, 

'Mid howl of wind and storm. 
Has kindlv done its mission in 



35 

Tlic twelve months iieariy g<»no 
And sadly now we watcli it go, 
And welcome tlie new-born. 

Hark ! mid the noise of storm, 
The silvery chimes we hear, 

Twelve strokes, the year is gone, 
Without a pang or fear, 

The taper in its socket burns, 
Good-bye, good-bye old year 1 



SUMMER. 

Soft skies and L'almy ai]-. 
Golden sunshine everywhere, 

Summer, gentle summer's h-ore 
Birds are singing in the trees, 
Perfume lingers in the breeze. 

From the blossoms near. 
Daisies cluster 'long the hedgf. 
Eoses blossom on the ledge — 

Roses white and red — 
Lilies bright and violets blue. 
Forget-me-nots the ever true. 

In their modest bed. 
Bowbelis ])ui*})le, mixed with whi 
Pausies lifting lieadsso brighr. 

In the o-ai-den srav ; 



30 

Pinks and lioney-snckles sweet. 
Trailing 'neatli the carclesss feet,. 
And with zepliyrs ]day. 

Singing streams glide slowly by. 
Birds chant mnsie ns they llv. 

Bees are bnsy now, 
Laying np their winter store, 
Flitting all the tlowers o'er. 

From blossom brio-ht to bono-h. 

Summer bright, oh, summer fair I 
When indolence seems in the air. 

And quiet hush o'er all ; 
When flowers bloom and woods are green, 
And every Avhere is plainly seen 

God's mercv over all. 



OUR DAKLINC;. 

Our darling is the brightest, 

The sweetest ever seen, 
As beautiful and lovel}' 

As poet's happy dream. 
Her eyes, they are the bluest 

That ever you did see. 
Her smile it is the sweetest. 

She's all the world to me. 



;i7 



Her diiiniy liitle fingers 

Pull roses aJl the day, 
Arid angel eyes are vratciiiiig 

Her while at her play. 
Her heart is pure and holy 

As ought on earth can be ; 
She is our heart's dear idol, 

And all the Avorld to me. 



5>*iC 



LEAVE ME ALO^'E. 

Leave me alone I 
Let not an eye gaze into mine, 
Let me not hear gay voices chime, 
Let me in solitude seek rest, 
All is for the best 

I know. 
But oil, this Intter i)ain I feel, 
h too much woe, let me find weal 

Alone ! 

Leave me alone ! 
Let not the cold world know 
That sorrow's waters o'er me flow, 
Let me my grief and mis'ry hide, 
Heaven's time I'll bide 

Patiently, 
But oh, ril seek relief and rest 

Alone I 



38 

Leaye me alone ! 
The struggle now will soon be o'er, 
And tlien, I'll be myself once more, 
Calm as a summers tranquil sea 
I'll try to be, 

E'en though 
My lieart breaks with its pain, 
I'll bear the burden and the strain 

Alone ! 



5>©<f 



LIGHT. 

Give me more light, 
More light, ye angel band 
From Heaven's bright land, 

AVhere never comes the night, 
Wrapt your wings 
About my form, 
Quell in my heart 
Griefs raging storm. 

And give me light. 

Aye, give me light. 
To guide me here below. 
That while I wander I may go 

In paths aright. 

Through ether space 
iSend cheering words. 



39 

To echo like the songs 
Of luippy birds, 
And give me light. 
Give me more light, 

My soul is groping now, 
Shed on my heart and brow 
A radiance pure and bright. 
Ah, spirit blest, 

Come from above 
And lead me now 
In ways of love. 
And give me liglit. 

Give me more light, 
TJiat I may never tire, 
This feeble frame inspire 
To dare and do the right, 
Help me to scatter 

In the paths of life, 
The buds of truth 
To quiet strife I 
Ah, give me light. 

Give me more light. 

Pure spirits gone before, 
Passed to the other shore, 
Beyond our mortal sight. 
That error ne'er may bind 

My heart in chains. 
That I may never feel 
The galling pains 
Of error's nio-lit 



40 



RE8T. 

Weary and worn with the toil of the day, 

I welcome the shadows of night as they come, 
For night brings with it rest, and drives care aAvay, 
In silence to slumber till the briirbt dawn 

shall play 
Over the meadows, the hill-sides, and vales. 

Where shado-\vs art' resting- on night's dusky 

breast, 
0, yes, I love iiighr. and 1 lo\e rest. 

Life is a web, woven strongly and line. 

By the hand of Jehovah, the King of all Kings, 
The Spirit Eternal, Supreme, and Divine, 
And sadly broken are meshes in mine — 
Threads are lost, and cannot be fotuid. 

All the day long I toil on, perhaps it is best, 
But oh, I love night, that I) rings to me rest. 

The forms of the lovM. the true, and the j)ure^ 

Are falling around us as day follows day. 
These partings are sad and hard to endure, 
Yet it is wrong to regret I'm sure, 

When we know they are free from all iniin, 
That peace sweet and pure fills their breast- 
And they feel the ]Mii'e joy of OoVs i-est. 



41 



THE SPIRIT LAND. 

Across the turbid stream of deatli 

An unknown country lies, 
Outstretched beyond the sunset bright, 

Above the summer skies, 
And sometimes strains of music sweet 
From that blest land our senses greet, 

Sometimes we feel the gentle touch 

Of angels' shadowy hands, 
Sometimes we see the spirit forms 

Of those angelic bands ; 
They come to cheer us on the way 
That leads us to the perfect day. 

That land so bright, so pure, so sweet, 

So far removed from this. 
Where care and sorrow ne'er is known, 

But only joy and bliss, 
Will be our home in after years 
If we but trust and banish fears ; 

If we but follow paths of truth, 

Of rectitude and right. 
And keep the shadows of dark sin, 

That ftill like shades of night, 
From wrapping us in heavy gloom, 
Dcepei'. darker than tlic tomb. 



4;^ 

HOPE FOII THE MOUllOW. 

'Tis true tluit life is sometimes dark^ 

And toilsome seems the way. 
And oyer paths once bright and fair, 

The darkened shado^vs play ; 
And even nature's voice seems sad, 

And skies look dark with gloom, 
And zephyrs sweeping softly by 

Seem whispering of the tomb. 
Eriends once kind, and faithfnl true, 

Turn coldly from our way,. 
But let us hope, still hoping on, 

There'll dawn a l)rig1iti-r day. 

The roses in our patliway fade. 

And withering droop and die,, 
And broken dreams and blighted hopes 

Along our Aveary |)athway lie ; 
But let us raise our eyes aloft, 

And breathe- an earnest prayer 
That Grod will shield onr fainting hearts 

From wretched, dark despair ; 
And if we summon to our aid 

A stern, determined will. 
The clouds will slowly break away. 

And light (mr patliway fill. 



43 

GOIIS^a HOME. 

We're going home to rest in peace. 

When weary life is ended here, 
From every care we'll find release, 

And only joy will hover near. 
We'll lay the bnrdens of this life 

Beside the narrow, earthen bed, 
We'll bid adieu to every strife. 

And follow^ where the angels led. 

Then let us strive to meekly bear 

The crosses that befall our lot, 
liemembering that the crown is near. 

Oh, let us wait and murmer not, 
The crown of love so pure and bright, 

Which Avill be ours when we get home, 
Home to that land of pure delight, 

Where angel foot-steps ever roam. 

And when tlie clouds seem dark and drear, 

And showers of gri^ and sorrow fall, 
When not a sunbeam lingers near. 

But clouds and darkness cover all. 
Let us remember in that hour 

That we are going home to rest. 
That sunbeams mingle with the shower, 

And God, our Father, knoweth best. 

We're going home to rest in peace, 
To know the joy our God can give, 

To find from care a sweet release. 

Where spirits pure and l)right now live ; 



44 

We're going home, we're going home. 
To the summer-land so bright above 
No more on earth to weary roam, 
We're going home to peace and love. 



^>^<: 



INDIAN SUMMEU. 

Now the forest trees appear 

In richest autumn garb, 
Leaves of crimson, scarlet, brown. 

Shot through with golden barb, 
And the paths are covered o'er 

With tlie riclily colored store. 
Where the robin built lier nest, 

In the shaded, quiet wood. 
Where the squirrel darted from 

Leafy, hidden solitude — 
Now the fading glories lie 
Beneath a bright October sky. 
And the passing breeze is keen 

As it hurries swiftly by, 
Darts among the withered leaves. 

Rudely whirling them on high. 
Over rough, uneven ground. 
With a mournful, saddened sound. 
Now the sky assumes a tint 

Of crimson, red and yellow gold, 
Stretchinc^ far into the went. 



45 

Eiclily fiilling, fuld on fold. 
And the hazy atmosphere 
Tells us Indian Snmmer 's near. 
Indian Snmmer ! season rare, 

When our senses spurn control. 
And a dreamy indolence 

Steals o'er heart, and mind, .and s )iil, 
And we revel in delight, 
That puts a)l care and grief to flight. 
While our lives glide slowly down 

Time's ever onward coursing stream, 
And events that ripple o'er. 

Seem but cloud specks in a dream. 
Season bright, and rich, and rare, 
With thee none can e'er compare. 



WAITING. 

Waiting the coming of one who has gone — 

Gone from the scenes of his childhood so dear ; 
Watching and weeping so sad and forlorn — 

Wishing the loved one was lingering near, 
Counting the days as they glide swiftly bj". 

As a nun counts her beads of prayer in the 
morn ; 
Tears falling like pearls, and sigh following sigh ; 

As the heart grows more weary, and sad. and 
forlorn. 



40 

Waiting for one wlio \\'ir] never return — 

Never come back to tlie hearts he held dCcir ; 
For the cold ocean his form f o inurn. 

Tempted the heart that knew nought of fear. 
The treacherous waves, dashing so high, 

Closed over his proud and dignified form, 
Leaving no trace that stern death was nigh, 

Save the sad voice of the tempest and storm. 

And there, 'neath the waves, on coral beds lie 

The forms of many a loved one so dear, 
Wliosc spirits have fled to their blest home on 
high, 

Leaving dear ones to watch aid to Mnit for 
them here, 
"Waiting and Avatching from morn until eve. 

The days slowly pass and time journeys on ; 
The heart ne'er forgets for the absent to grieve, 

Till reward for this life in Heaven is won. 

There on the shores of that beautiful land, 

The parted redeemed and purified meet. 
And join in the song of the angelic band 

That bow in humility at Jehovah's feet.; 
And the days folloAv on in endless delight, 

In joys that only the purified know ; 
And never come shadows of care or of night, 

Or sorrows that darken our lives here below. 



47 
THE OLD GKAVE YARD. 

The fence is old and falling down, 

The weeds are rank and high, 
The marble slabs neglected stand. 

The trees point to the sky* 
There flowers once bloomed in beaiuy rare, 

Kept by the hand of love, 
To decorate the resting place 

Of those noAV gone above. 
And trembling footsteps often sought 

The green, enameled monnd. 
To weep and pray for loved ones laid 

Beneath the hallowed ground. 
But, now, alas, those olden graves 

Neglected stand to-day. 
O'er grown with weeds so rank and wild. 

Sad emblems of decay. 
Where are the hearts that mourning stood 

Beside the open bed ? 
Where are the eyes that years ago 

Sad tears of mourning shed ? 
Where are the friends who lingered oft 

To water flowers w ith tears ? 
Are they, too, gone, like all the rest. 

Gone with the fleeting years ? 

Or, have they ceased to think of those 

Keposing here in gloom ? 
Do they no longer care to keep 

In beauty dressed the tomb ? 



48 

The tomb where rests the loved one? lost,. 

Not lost but gone before, 
Gone from the busy haunts of men 

To Heaven's peaceful shore. 
Alas ! and Avhen we lay us down 

In quiet, peaceful rest, 
Will no loved hand plant flowers bright 

Above our pulseless breast ? 
Will our last narrow, earthen bed 

And marble slab of white 
ISTeglected be allowed to pass, 

As da}' succeeds the night ? 
It matters not if we but live 

To gain a home on higli, 
Where our poor bodies rest beneath 

The bending summer sky. 
And yet those old, neglected graves 

}3ring sadness to our heart, 
And as we sadly on them gaze, 

The tears unbidden start. 



>>^o 



OCTOBER. 

The woods are stripped of all theii' glory now, 
The ground is strewn v/ith leaves of every 
shade- 
Red, green, and brown, and dingy yellow, 
With frost-robe white and clear o'er laid, 



49 

Tlie clouds arc diirk, and thick, and murky, 

Tlie morning suu streams feebly tlirough, 
The brook flows sadly on its winding way, 

Beside which fragrant lilies grew. 
The Avinds sigh plaintively around my home, 

Sigh for summer's glory, faded now. 
The autumn goddess wiiispers hoarsly, too, 

Death damps chill her regal brow. 
Soon in the grave she'll SAveetly slumber, 

Winter 's coming in her stead, 
Robes of drifting snow about him. 

Crowns of ice npoirhis head. 



J^gf'.c 



DKEAMS OF YOUTH. 

When dreams of early youth are fled. 

And hopes of the shadowy past. 
When round our dreary, cheerless patli. 

Moans sorrow's bitter blast, 
When life looks dark and drear to us. 

And clouded are the skies, 
Oh, then, the faded, banished dreams 

Of early youth arise. 
When heart is bound with weary weight 

Of sorrows and of cares. 
When everything in life below 
A darkened shadow wears — 



50 



When flowers of love and earl}- hop 



Ar^ Mling to decaVj 
Ah, then we think of early dreams, 

Bi'iglit dreams now passed away. 
And every thought of life grows cold 

Amid (he shifting scenes, 
As sadly we review^ the past 

And think what might have be!.]]; 
And vainly in the past we seek 

Some comfort sweet to find, 
'Tis only God above can give 

Contentment to the mind. 



>>«4o*- 



TKIS WOKLl) IS IVHIGIIT. 

This world is beautiful ajul bright, 

Its flowers all are fair, 
And perfume rich floats ever on 

The balmy summer air, 
The stars shine in the cloudless sky. 

The moon sheds silver light, 
The sunbeams make the valley depths 

And shaded paths all bright. 
The little birds sing happy songs 

In stately forest trees, 
The busy, ceaseless hum is heard 

Of never wearying bees ; 



51 

The rivers and the trickliDg stroains 
Flow on their winding ways, 

And^nature, in her brightest tones 
Yields up a meed of praise. 

But e'en the brightest flowers will fade. 

Their perfume cease to fling 
Its richness on the summer air, 

And birds forget to sing ; 
Dark clouds will float across the sky 

Obscuring each bright star. 
And moonbeams fall not on the earth, 

Nor sunbeams from atar. 

The autumn winds will sweep around 

And desolation reign 
O'er mountain sides, in valleys deep, 

And on the broad, wide plain; 
But oh, there is a land above 

Where flowers never fade. 
Where all is joy and peace sublime 

And light without the shade. 

And if we are but faithful here 

To trusts so kindly given. 
We'll reap a rich reward up ther(5 

In God's own blissful heaven ; 
Then let the seasons pass away, 

Until our lives are done, 
Until we lay our burdens down 

And o:lorY's crown be won. 



-52 
HOW SADLY XOW THE HOUPvS 00 }^Y. 

How satlly now the hours go by, 

As clayhght follows night ; 
And oh, how gloomy seems to mo 

Their weary, tardy flight, 
They tell me that the world is fair, 

And 1)eautifiil, and true ; 
That fragrant, blooming flowei's 

Our earthly pathway strew. 

But since thou left nie here alone, 

The earth seems dark and drear, 
And only gloomy shadows now 

Around me liuger near. 
And as the clays pass sadly by, 

I long to see thy face. 
To gaze upon thy augel ibrm. 

Replete with every grace. 



Then come, dear one, oh, come to mo, 

From thy blest Innne above. 
And whisper to my saddened heart 

Low words of tender love ; 
Eeturn, oh spirit pure and bright, 

To help me bear the pain. 
That fills my heart as years roll on, 

Let me not ])lead in vaii;. 



53 
LOOK UP. 

Look ii])I look up I mourning hearty 

Look lip to Grod above ! 
Thy failing tears He'll quickly dry, 

x\nd give tliee endless love ; 
Do not despond and give to grief 

Such uncontrolled sway ; 
The clouds will not forever hide 

The sunbeams on thy way. 
Have faith, — in faith and earnest prayer 

Thy heart will find sweet peace, 
For only Heaven's will can give 

From care and pain release. 
Do not enshroud thyself in gloom. 

Let hope assert her sway ; 
Though darkness hovers round tlijc now. 

There dnwns a brighter day. 



MORNING. 

The night has passed away, 
And dawns another day ; 

The light comes up the eastern sk}^ 
And sunbeams bright appear. 

And little birds in waving trees, 
Sing: fi'ailv. •'• davlisrht's here." 



54 

Aiiotlu'i* day is born. 

As sunbeams usher in the morn. 

Another day of joy and bhss — 
Of mingled grief and pain, 

For bitter mingles with the sweet, 
As sunbeams follow rain. 

Another milestone passed ; 
Another lengthened shadow cast 

In life's short journey here, 
And we are nearer home ; 

]\^earer the rest prepared for us — 
Xearer the jasper throne. 

As the bright sun conies up 

And drinks the dew from Flora's cup, 

The busy scenes of life begin, 
The bustle and the haste of trade, 

And people flock to market stands 
Where bargains can be made. 

Oh, lovely morning sweet. 
Thy hours so cool, so fleet, 

Pass like the dew away, 
And soon the night appears, 

And thus the hours glide on 
And mingle into years. 



55 

UNSEEN FRIENDS. 

In the starry realms on high, 
In the home above the sky, 

Far from earth and sorrow; 
In the Summer land above. 
Where from fountains of pure love ' 

All may freely borrow, 
Spirit friends are dwelling now 
With halos 'round each angel brow, 

And no trace of sorrow. 

And when hours of eventide 
Gently o'er the wide earth glide, 

Come they down ; 
On the forehead marked with carc^ 
On the clustering locks of hair, 

Golden bright, or brown, 
On the brow where hand of time 
Has traced full many a bitter line. 

Place they glory's crown. 

To the heart with dark grief aching. 
To the heart that's almost breaking, 

Bring they comfort sweet, 
And a holy calm comes o'er 
The heart that feels dull pain no more 

When spirit friends it greets ; 
And soul is lifted slowly up, 
And drinks of inspiration's cup, 

Blessed comfort fleet. 



\]id I lie Jioart liTDWs ])ni\c and .strong, 
To battle with the strife i\m\ wronir 

Of life below ; 
Ai)d the feet arc led ariglit. 
In the patlis of trutii and light; 

And witii steady glow 
Ihirn.s the laii]}) of earth-bouiul lit;-, 
Till we pass beyond the sirifr — 

The vanity and sliow — 
Tlijit mark the passing days and yciii's, 
Made up of smiles an.'l filling ts'iirs. 

Of grief and joy ; 
For to no lu'arr, however liglii, 
(. ' o ni es o n ly s ii n I ) e a m s s o ft and bright, 

Pleasures without alloy : 
}U\t spirit friends from, lands al)Ove 
With counsels sweet of hope and lov.-. 

Can sinkiug, lone hearts l^'aoy, 



FUIKNDSniP. 

Oh I tell me not that friendshij) is 

An idle thing at best : 
That falsehood anddocolt must dwell 

In every liiiman Ijreast : 



57 

Tliat vows luv made so liglitly now 
That, almost soon as spoken, 

Witliout a tinge of pain, regret, 
Tliey are unkindl}' In'oken. 

Xo, no ! there are some noble son Is 

With kind and tender feeling, 
And, friendship like a holy balm, 

Comes softly o'er them stealing, 
And prompts them to brave deeds of love 

To make sad hearts the lighter. 
And shadoAved pathways here belo^v 

}^Y kindlv acts the ])righter. 



3>»i<x>-- 



Till;: SOXC MY MOTHEIJ SUNG. 

'Tis years since childhood's joys were mine 

And heart was li<?lit and free. 
And life seemed like a dream divine. 

So fair, so bright, to me ; 
And cares have made their marks ii])!)]i 

This brow once smooth and fair, 
And life its gladdest songs has snng 

And silvered o'er mv hair. 



58 
CHORUS. 

But when amid life's busy cares, 

The song my mother sung 
Falls on my ears, I feel again 
As if my life was young. 
I've known bright pleasures pure and true, 

And sorrows, too, I ween, 
I've seen the sky so soft and blue, 

And life seemed but a dream. 
Then sadness came to crowd my life, 

And bid all joy depart, 
And heart grew weary of the strife 
Tliat is of life a part. 

CHORUS. 

But when amid life's busy cares. 

The song my mother sung, 
Falls on my. ears, I feel again 

As if my life was young. 



-j-y^igtjc 



I PEAY FOR THEE. 

When the morning first is dawning, 
At the glorious birth of day; 

When the sunbeams brightly shining, 
Drive the darkness far away. 



59 

Then, for theo, my dearest friend, 
To Heaven I humbly pray. 

When the twihght softly settles 

O'er the hills and flowers fair ; 
When the evening bells' sweet echo 

Floats upon the balmy air, 
Then, for thee, my dearest friend, 

I lift my heart in prayer. 
When the midnight, dark and dreary, 

Falls npon this earth below, 
And the little stars in Heaven 

Shine with feeble, flickering glow, 
Then I pray that angels guard thee. 

That grief tliy lieart may never kiiov. 



MEMORIES. 

The sunbeams now shine on the bright green 
grass, 

And flowers are blooming in grove and in vale. 
The soft scented breezes of spring time now pass 

Over the foliage green, in the valley and dale. 



()3 

The brooks and the rivers murmur slowly along, 
The fetters which bonnd them are gone, 

Tlie air is made \ocal with tlie wild bird's sweet 
song. 
But my heart is u.nsatislied, weaiy and lone. 

I Avalk where I used to in days that are past, 

I murmur the songs 1 once sung, 
I pause where now the l^right river flows fast, 

And endeavor to pra}' — but I'm dumb ; 
For it was here I oft sat v\ith one I loved well. 

And we talked of affections so true, 
Wliile the stars shone bright and soft mooulx-ams 
fell 

On the waters so sparkling and blue. 
I held that loved hand so close in my owu, 

Pressed kisses on that noble brow, 
Listened to words spoken in love's sweetest tone. 

And there we e:^ changed a pure vow. 
Oh, angels in Heaven, in mercy look down". 

And comfort my breaking heart now : 
Drop mercy upon me, my aching heart crown. 

And help me to God's will to bow. 
The days arc so long, the nights are so dreary, 

Since my heart's chosen loved one has gone. 
I feel as life was a burdeii, I'm wear}^ 

I can but sit here and pray and bemoan 
Tlie dark fate which has bade us two part. 

Oh, spirits above, in mercy I plead, 
For counsel and grace, for my sorrowing heart. 

Come bless me, and yield me the comfort I 
need. 



61 

LENIS. 

Dedicated to Dr. Slade, The woiiderfullv gifted, test iiijulara and 
clairvoyant physician. 

We sit within the circle band, 

With troth and harmony, 
We feel the spirit presence near, 

Like summer zephyr's sigh. 
When moonlight gilds with silver o'er 

The streamlet's tiny wave. 
We hear the angel voices sweet, 

From lands beyond the grave. 
With hand invisible, but firm. 

They trace upon the slate, 
Kind, loving words for those 

Who so expectant wait; 
They play the sweetest, softest airs, 

With music fill the room, 
And by their cheerful presence there, 

Dispel all clouds and gloom. 
They bid us fear stern death no more. 

Nor mourn life's fitful dream, 
For we are journeying onward novr, 

To lands beyond the stream, 
To lands of light and peace above, 

Led by their angel bands. 
And we can almost hear the notes 

Of music from their bands. 
Their angel bands in lands above. 

Where sorrows come no more,* 
And we are slowly drifting now, 

Towards that celestial shore. 



62 

The God we worship and adore. 

Is filled with tender love, 
And has prepared a home for all, 

A home for all above. 

Owosso's spirit, brave and true. 

Tells ns of endless bliss, 
And bids us bear with fortitude. 

The cares of world like this ; 
Eor every care will reap reward, 

And sorrows all be o'er. 
When our probation's ended here. 

And earth life is no more. 

Oh, chosen one of spirits bright. 

What glorious power is thine, 
To know that angels linger near, 

And spirits pure, divine ; 
To know that inspiration pure, 

Is given thee in need. 
For all the ills of life below. 

Is rich reward, indeed. 

May angels bless thee, ever more. 

And work be given thee, 
Until the world is purified 

From all dark heresy. 
May "strength be sent thee from above. 

To overcome ail pain, 
And thine be the assurance sweet, 
Thy life has not been vain. 



63 
JIMMY LOVES ME. 

A SOKG. 

I am not rich, no lands are mine, 

I own no houses broad and high, 
With castle roofs and gilded towers, 

Lifting their heads against the sky 
I cannot boast of titled name, 

Nor even glories that are o'er, 
But I have one true, fixithful friend, 

And can I wish for any more ? 

My feet ne'er press the carpets fine. 

Woven in far India's looms, 
Of nothing stately can I boast. 

In my humble attic rooms. 
I have no gems of priceless mirth, 

Gathered from the sea or shore. 
Oh, no I have not one of these. 

But I have love, I ask no more. 
And as I wander on in life, 
• Though fortune never smile on me. 
Though my home be ever plain. 

Plain unto simplicity ; 
Though I meet the titled great. 

And those possessed of golden ore, 
ril be content while Jimmy loves, 

It is an enough, I ask no more. 



64 

I WILL KOT WEEP. 

Though clouds hang darkly o'er my way, 

And sunbeams bright are fled. 
And hopes I've cherished fondly, now 

Lie withered, sere and dead ; 
Though care has traced full many a mark 

Upon my youthful brow, 
And anguish fills my weary soul. 

And fainting heart e'en now, 
I will not yield myself to grief, 

I'll not give sorrow sway. 
But bid the darkening clouds depart, — 

I will not weep to-day. 

The morrow bright will bring me joy. 

For sunshine follows rain, 
And when the sky is over cast, 

To yield to grief is vain ; 
No rose that in the garden blooms 

Is found without a thorn. 
K"o heart is crowned by joy alone, 

We all must laugh and mourn ; 
Then let us bear our trials here, 

And drive regrets away, 
For if we look ahead, we'll find 

A brigliter, happier day. 



65 
I CRAVE AN HOUU WITH THEE. 

When day lias ceased, and twilight comes 
With shadows o'er the busy earth, 

And birds no longer sing their songs, 
And crickets chirp upon the hearth, 

When toil is o'er, and hands are free, 

I crave, dear one, an hour with thee. 

The hours drag slowly, slowly by, 

Like leaden weights of uncheered gloom ; 

The roses seem to sadly sigh, 
That in the garden richly bloom, 

When I thy smile no longer see. 

And then I crave an hour with thee. 

The days are long the nights are drear. 
While I am wandering from thy side ; 

But hope weaves fancies in my brain, 
As hours o'er my pathway glide ; 

And in sweet prayer I bend my knee, 

And crave, dear one, an hour with thee. 

The future looks so bright and fair. 

With golden dreams and fancies hung; 
The heart is full of sweetest songs, 

In that blest future to be sung ; 
And life seems full of joy to me. 
While I crave, love, an hour with thee. 
And when my journeyiugs all are o'er. 

And I no longer leave tliy side, 
When orange blooms are in thy hair, 

And thou art my own gentle bride. 



CO 



Then life will be all joy to me. 

And all my hours I'll six-nd with thee. 



o\^c 



THEY TELL ME TIIOU ART FALSE. 

They tell me, loye, that thoii art false, 

That every vow is severed, 
That all the happy past is fled, 
And thy love for me is dead. 

Each tender tie is riven ; 
That I can never see thee more. 

This side the gates of Heaven. 
They say another heart has won 

The jewel that I prized ; 
Another hand has elapsed thine own, 
Another voice speaks loves dear tone. 

Another's bride thou art. 
That thou from him will never more, 

This side of death's stream part. 
I know 'tis false, beloved one — 

I'll not believe the tale ; 
Thy heart, I feel, is all my own. 

E'en though from it all hope has flown. 
Another claims thy hand. 

But not thy heart — it belongs to me, 
I'll meet the in that better land. 



LIFE'S LESSOISr. 

When first I started in the path, 

The wearj path of life, 
My heart was full of youthful hope, 

To battle with the strife ; 
I thought the world was what it seemed, 

All bright, and pure, and fair, 
And did not dream that years could bring, 

A weary weight of care. 

I trusted, but to be deceived. 

And trusted yet again. 
Until I learned the better truth. 

That brought me much of pain, 
That men were, not oft, what they seemed, 

Nor vows made to be kept. 
And flowers faded in my grasp, 

Wet with the tears I wept. 

Death coldly claimed tlie ones I loved. 

And weary grew my lot, 
And as I struggled on in life, 

I sought some pleasant spot. 
Where bare deception and deceit 

Could never come to dwell; 

But that I sought; alas, in vain ! 
I hardly need to tell. 

And now the dreams of youth are fled. 

And I am left alone. 
But with the passing years of life, 

My heart has older grown, 



68 

And sad experience now has taught, 

The lessons hard to me, 
And much that's bright amid the dark. 

With eyes of faith, I see. 
I know that Hfe has sorrows deep, 

But hope has on me smiled, 
And angels from the spheres above. 

Taught me to be a child, 
A child in faith, and truth and love, 

That when death stills my heart. 
That I may without one vain regret, 

With joy and peace depart, 



5>^C 



STANZAS. 

Dry thy tears, oh, mourning heart. 

There's brighter skies ahead, 
'Tis after cloTids, the brilliant sun. 

His brightest beams will shed ; 
'Tis after bitter, that the sweet 

Of life will surely come, 
And if thy heart will cherish hope. 

Sweet joy shall crown thy home. 



69 

€ease thy complainings, fluttering heart, 

The hand that smites thee now, 
CJan wipe all trace of sorrow from 

Thy care marked, heated brow ; 
The hand that takes some treasure from 

Thee, knows full well what's best, 
And that same hand will give to thee, 

Eternal, peaceful rest. 



:>>&<o 



THE GOOD BYE KISS. 
A son going out in the wide world. 

To win for himself a name, 
With a heart full of will and ambition, 

To secure for himself wealth and fame ; 
His mother looks proudly upon him. 

Looks eagerly into his eye, 
Then with hand on his shoulder, says softly, 

*'Dear boy, you will kiss me good bye." 

A lover is going o'er the broad ocean. 

Leaving sweet heart and true friends behind, 

But he's going with hope in his bosom. 
Hoping wealth and position to find. 



The moonlight falls gently around tlieni, 

The maiden yields many a sigh, 
As she drops the hand of her lover, 

Saying, "dear one, oh, kivss me good bye." 
The husband is leaving his fire side, 

His wife and his children so dear, 
For duty is calling him loudly, 

And he must not and dare not pause here ; 
He has kissed each dear little darling. 

And his wife lingers lovingly nigh, 
And the tears fall softly and swiftly. 

As her lips murmur — "Kiss me good bye.'' 
Oh, often in life's weary pathway. 

When loved ones are called on to part, 
When shadows are falling so thickly 

On pathway, on brain and on heart, 
When death hovers over and 'round us. 

And stars shine in the blue sky, 
We hear the words spoken and murmured, 

"'Oh, kiss me, oh, kiss me good bye." 



>-3^^0«- 



BETRAYED. 

Once she was beautiful happy and bright^ 
With eyes of blue, Heaven's own light, 
And lips of red. 



71 

Her feet kept time in the merry dance, 
And her smile would many a heart en trace. 
With the light it shed. 

Her heart so young, so joyous, and free, 
Beat lightly as bird's on garden tree, 

And life looked fair. 
Sunbeams seen scattered along tlie way, 
And happiness come each passing day, 

No clouds were there. 
A lover, with honeyed words so sweet. 
Gracefully bowed himself at her feet. 

And sued for love. 
She smilingly gave him her own white hand. 
On which he placed a golden bond, 

'Neath stars above, 
She believed the vows be solemnly made. 
Of doubt their lingered not a sliade. 

In her joyous heart. 
Thus he won her love, and promised to wed. 
When the flowers of spring would perfume shed> 

And thus did they part. 
But the spring time came with blossoms wild, 
Its showers and sunbeams briglit and mild, 

But he caiPxC not. 
And the maiden waited and prayed in vain. 
Striving to still her heart's dull pain, 

Sad was her lot. 
Her fatherless child was laid in the grave, 
Where a weeping willow cast its shade. 

Not a tear she shed. 



72 

But with burning eyes and throbbing hearty, 
She saw her last hope fade and depart, 

With the early dead. 
But a merciful Father rules above, 
He scorns not the heart that sinned for IoyGj, 

Father Divine ! 
And though self righteous ones of earth, 
Turn from her with sneer and mirth. 

There is a clime — 

Beyond the shadows of the grave. 
Ruled by a God that's kind to save. 

That blessed shore. 
Where angels tread will be her home,. 
Repentant ones can freely come, 

And sin no more. 



WILL I BE TRUE ? 

Will I, will I be ever true, 
You ask with deep sincerity. 

Will the bright sun in Heaven above 
Prove false to him who rules by love 



73 

Will flowers forget to shed perfume ? 

Will death forget to scatter gloom ? 
Will stars forget to shine at night ? 

Will moonbeams cease to shed soft light ? 
Will spirits from our home on high, 

Forget to hoyer ever nigh, 
When cares and sorrows weigh us down ? 

Will Heaven forget to give the crown ? 

Will streams forget to onward flow. 

Between the banks where roses grow ? 
Will leaves forget to fade and fall ? 

Will night forget to cover all ? 
Will day forget to follow day ? 

No, nor till all things pass away, 
Oan I forget the vows of love, 

That are recorded up above. 
To thee I'll be in life as true, 

As stars that shine in yonder blue, 
And when this life, at last, is o'er, 

May we be true on yonder shore. 



9l«<00 



TO A BKIDE. 

Vows are pledged of love and truth. 
Solemn vows — not lightly, 



74 

And to eyes of hope and youth, 

The future opens brightly. 
The future all untried, unseen. 
Like some bright and happy dream. 

Angels in the courts of Heaven, 
Guardian angels bright and pure, 

Watching thee by day and even. 
Help thee bravely to endure 

Every trial, care and pain, 

That on life may cast a stain. 

May the future now before thee, 
Bring thee joy and sweet content. 

Scatter blessings richly o'er thee, 
Blessings by kind Heaven sent. 

And the years pass gladly on. 

Till the crow^n of life be w^on. 

May no winds of dark misfortune. 
Sweep the blossoms from thy way ; 

May no over zealous caution, 

Darkly cloud e'en one bright day ; 

May affection grow the deeper. 

And thy life the holier sweeter. 

And when earthly life is ended. 
And God's angels call thee home. 

May sweet peace with death be blended. 
And thy footsteps gladly roam, 

In the sunny paths on high. 

In God's home beyond the sky. 



75 

EVER BE HOPEFUL. 

Be hopeful now, proud heart, and ever, 

Though every joy be faded, 
Though pleasure's glittering, happy scenes, 

By veils of gloom be shaded ; 
Though flowers of love and friendship, too, 

Lie withered at thy feet, 
And evening zephyr's saddened words. 

Seen often to repeat. 

Oh, cherish hope, sweet, soothing hope, 

And waste not days and houi's. 
In mourning over faded wreaths. 

Of e'en earth's brightest flowers. 
Let not thy precious time be spent 

In foolish, idle dreaming. 
For sorrows prove a blessing rich. 

Though not so in their seeming. 

The past is fled, do not recall 

The dreams forever broken. 
But look to hope, and she will give 

Thy saddened heart some loken, 
That in the future, all unseen, 

There's something bright and cheerful ; 
Then let sweet smiles play o'er thy face, 

Which now is sad and tearful. 



76 
I HAVE A GEM. 

I have a gem which cannot fade, 

'Tis brighter, aye, by far, 
Then rubies red, or diamonds pure, 

Or yon sweet eyening star ; 
This gem so rare, of priceless wealth, 

I give, dear one, to thee. 
I ask that thou wilt cherish it, 

Wherever thou may be. 
^ris known to mortals here on earth, 

By sweetest name of love ; 
'Tis cherished by angels bright, 

In worlds of peace above ; 
Then cherish it while here below, 

And joy it will impart. 
And when thou'rt called from earth above, 

'T will live forever in thy heart. 



oo>«Kc 



THE DEAD. 

Fall gently on the blooming flowers, 

Oh, rain drops, clear and bright. 
The flowers I planted o'er the grave. 

Of one I love, 

Now gone above. 
In realms of peace and light. 



77 

Fall softly sunbeams o'er that grave. 

That grave where lowly lies, 
The head I've pillowed often here, 

Upon this breast, 

But now at rest, 
From pain in Paradise. 
Tread softly, careless feet, 

When near that sacred spot, 
For life to me is very drear, 

I loved him well, 

No words can tell 
How sad and lonely is my lot. 
Oh, shadows of the evening hour, 
When you spread gloom around, 
Envelope in your mantle dark, 

The earthen bed. 

Of the loved dead, 
That holy, sacred ground. 
Oh, gentle stars, in Heaven above. 

Look kindly down ai night, 
Upon the place my loved one rests. 

And zephyrs sigh. 

As ye sweep by, 
And moonbeams shed soft light. 
Let nothing now disturb the rest 

Of the loved gone before ; 
But flowers waft your perfume sweet. 

Up to the courts above, 

Where all is love. 
Where he now dwells on Heaven's shore. 



His spirit meets me here, 

And here I come, 
To hold communion sweet, 

At hours of night,. 

In robes of white. 
He comes to greet me, from his home. 



-^>»^c 



'TIS SWEET TO KXOW. 

'Tis sweet to know 

That here below 
Are those who love us well, 

And by their eye, 

And cheek's warm dye 
Their love for us they tell. 

'Tis far more sweet 

To know we'll meet 
With those who have gone before, 

To their homes above, 

In the land of love. 
And safely reached its shore. 

And fondly wait, 

To warmly greet 
Us when we reach that shore, 

Where we may be 

From sorrow free, 
And troubles know no more. 



A LOVE SONG. 

My home is not a palace grand, 

'Mid liillsand mountains reared 
I own no acres broad and rich, 

In wooded land or cleared. 
My name is not of noble line. 

Nor yet by fame illumed. 
To claim a place among the great, 

I never yet presumed. 
I have not untold wealth to give. 

My home is bumble, plain. 
And yet I have a trusty heart, 

A name without a stain. 
And these I offer, love, to thee, 

'Tis all I can bestow, 
Wilt thou accept them, gentle love, 

And bless mv life below ? 



A BREATH OF SLANDER. 

The time is past when we with love, 
Were firmly bound together; 

The clouds came o'er our deep blue sky, 
And stormy grew the weather; 



80 

A breath fanned but a little spark 

Of slander into flame, 
And summer friends turned enemies, 

Forgetting friendship's name. 

And TOWS that were so truly made, 

Were trampled in the dust, 
And eyil influence made you then, 

Forget your faith and trust ; 
But it is past, the dreams are fled. 

The sacred wreath is broken. 
And I have sent you safely back 

Each dearly treasured token. 
I would not now recall again 

The happy, peaceful hours ; 
I would not walk with you again, 

In friendship's sacred bowers, 
For you have proved unworthy of 

Affection's Avarmest glow. 
And I will bury in my heart 

The dreams of long ago. 



THE STOKM. 

See, the clouds are thickening over head, 
Floatino^ drifts across the ether, 



81 

Casting shadows on the grain, 

On the blossoms and the heather, 
Shading sunbeams with a pall, 
Casting shadows over all. 

Now the breeze comes freshly up. 
Driving clouds of dust before it. 

See the trembling blades of grass, 
As it sweeps so rudely o'er it, 

Waves are beating 'gainst the shore, 

Murmuring "would the storm were o'er." 

Trees bend low their stately heads, 
Flowers are scattered o'er the green. 

Darkness slowly covers all. 
Lightning flashes in between. 

Vivid, sudden, terrifying. 

Showing where the blooms are lying. 

Deep tuned thunder shakes the earth, 
And almost makes the heart stand still, 

Wondering if it is the voice of God, 
The Almighty, ruling will ; 

Wondering, fearing, thus we stand, 

A conscience striken, trembling band. 

Now the pattering rain drops fall, 
On the parched and thirsty earth, 

Giving life to all below, 

Dissipating thoughts of dearth, 

Bless the God that bade thee flow. 

To bless the dwellers here below. 



83 

The storm is past, the sun once more, 
Shines brightly on the blooming flo\yers, 

S23arkling with their ciystal drops, 
By their shaded garden bowers, 

And the brilliant promise bow, 

Spans the clear blue sky now. 

Let us lift our hearts in praise 

To Him who lives and rules aboye. 

And thank Him for the endless ways 
In which He proves to us His love. 

And strive to learn to do his will. 

That perfect love our hearts may fill. 



THE LAST. 

Depart, I calmly bid you go, 

I would not call you back ; 
I send no tears or weary sighs. 

Across time's flowerless track. 
I will not speak of broken vows- 

Of love, of friendship true, 
Professed to be sincerely felt. 

False one, by such as you. 



83 

I smile to think that ever I 

Could have believed your word ; 

That my proud heart could e'er allow , 
Its deepest v^^aters to be stirred. 

By such a false and frivolous thing, 

As you have proved to be, 
And now I dry my weeping eyes 

And rise above all misery. 

This is the last, you ne'er will see 
A look, a trace of care, regret ; 

My lips shall wear as sweet a smile 
As when, in days gone by, we met. 

But I have lost all faith in love. 

It is an idle, untrue thing, 
Of which we little know in life, 

But of which poets like to sing. 

Love's vows are very seldom kept, 
I'll listen to them ne'er again, 

And thus I'll shield my beating heart. 
From feehng ought of love's dull pain, 

Go, and may life be bright to you, 

The future void of pain, 
But as we journey on below, 

May we ne'er meet again. 



84 
SEVERED. 

The winds sweep o'er the deep, 

The wild waves dash the shore, 
The clouds hang low o'er earth, 

Thy voice I hear no more. 
Thy voice that used to calm 

The tempest in my heart, 
I'll hear it never more. 

For now we walk apart. 

The sunbeams dance so bright,, 

Upon the ocean blue, 
As bright, as richly gay, 

As when thy presence true,. 
Made life look fair to me ; 

And sunbeams in my heart, 
But now there's darkness there,. 

For we, love, walk apart. 

I look out on the sea. 

The broad, blue, rolling deep, 
Beside whose waters bright, 

We used to often meet. 
But oh, there comes no voice 

To gladden my sad heart ; 
No voice to speak of thee, 

For now we walk apart. 

And sometimes as I sit 
And gaze out on the sea, 

A strange, wild thought 
Comes o'er and o'er to me. 



85 

COME TO MY HOME IjS THE WEST, 

Come to my home in the west, 

My home by the river so free; 
Come when the summer is bright, 

A welcome, I'll give friend, to thee, 
Come when the flowers bloom 

In the woods, in the garden, anddeJl ; 
Come when the songs of the birds 

In musical anthems swell. 
Come to my home in the west, 

Leave city and cares all behind. 
Sweet comfort and pleasure and rest, 

In my riverside home you will find. 
We will roam the green fields and the vales, 

Weave garlands of roses so sweet, 
Gather mosses and berries red ripe. 

In summer time hours so fleet. 



WITH THEE. 
The summer flowers all are dead, 
Their perfume and their beauty fled, 

Passed from the earth. 
The birds have ceased their songs of love, 
The stars have ceased to shine above. 

Fled all of mirth, 
And as I roam o'er land and sea. 
My thoughts are still, dear one, with thet^^ 

With thee. 



86 

The autumn days so sad, so drear, 
That with their glories lingered here, 

A time. 
When every breeze that wandered through 
The trees all wet with chilling dew, 

Sang in rhyme. 
Tuned to a saddened, mournful wail, • 
Are fled and yet my thoughts will never fail,' 

To fly to thee. 

And now cold winter's reign is here, 
And chilling blasts and storms are near, 

By night and day. 
And on the fields one© fresh and green, 
A soft white covering is seen. 

And snowdrifts lay. 
Piled in the valleys broad and wide, 
And soon I'll be close by thy side, 

With thee. 

And storms may beat, and winds may roar, 
But all my grief will then be o'er. 

Dear one. 
And not a happier heart than mine, 
Will beat in any world or clime, 

Beneath the sun. 
For it were almost Heaven to me, 
After weary wanderings to be 

With thee. 



87 



WOMEN'S LOVk 
Women's love is pure and strong, 

In sunshine and in shower, 
And like the clinging ivy vine, 

Around the ruined tower ; 
Her love clings to the object of 

Her heart's best, true devotion, 
And e'en in gratitude so base. 

Disturbs not the emotion. 
Though dark clouds hover in the sky, 

And stern misfortunes lower, 
Her faith and love grow stronger in 

That dark portentous hour ; 
And clinging still, amid the storm, 

Her love grows deep and deeper, 
It is a gift Irom angels bright, 

Earth has none fairer, sweeter. 
Then cherish in this world of woe, 

The faith and trust she's given, 
'Twill serve to bless while lingering here, 

And point the way to heaven. 
And never slight the earnest love 

Of heai*t so trusting, pure, 
But struggle on, she'll bravely bear 

Each trial you endure. 



88 

DO YOU EVER THINK, LOVE? 

Do you ever tliink, love, 

Of the little mountain cot, 
Of the climbing rose vines, 

And the sweet forget-me-not ? 
Of the clover, red and white. 

Of the blue bells, azure blue, 
That I often used to gather. 

Gather, darling May, for you ? 

Do you ever think, love. 

Of the gentle mountain stream, 
Where we often sat together. 

To converse, and muse and dream ? 
When the moon shed silvery light. 

And stars filled heavens blue. 
And the perfumed summer zephyrs, 

Whispered, darling May, to you ? 

Do you ever think, love. 

Of the mountain path that led 
To the silent resting places 

Of the quiet, lonely dead. 
Where our mother's sweetly sleeping 

*Neath the branches of the yew, 
Where so many tears were shed. 

Shed, my darling May, by you. 

Do you ever think, love. 
Of those hours of long ago, 

When the waters of life's river 
Ran with peaceful, quiet flow ? 



89 



Ere our sun of life was clouded, 

And our sky was bright and blue ? 
Ere the weight of disappointment, 

Fell, my darling May, on you ? 
Bo you ever think, loye. 

Of the home in Heaveji above. 
Where our mother waits to welcome 

The dear children of her love ? 
Where a life, a life immortal. 

Filled with love divine and true, . 
Will surely be by God awarded, 

Darling sister May, to yon ? 

I HAVE LOVED THEE. 

I have loved thee truly, dearly, 

Loved thee madly, blindly, well — • 
Loved thee better than all others, 

Loved thee more than words can telL 
I have loved thee in thy beauty, 

In thy hope and early pride, 
Not a thought of this true bosom, 

Have I ever thee denied. 
I have loved thee in thy gladness. 

When the star of hope did shine — 
Shine as brightly and as truly 

As those liquid eyes of thine. 
When the witching spell of pleasure 

O'er our lives was gaily cast, 
And we thought 'twould be all brightnoas, 

And sweet beauty to the last. 



90 



I have loved tiiee in my sorrow, 

When my heart was full of woe, 
And I felt my heart unequal 

To the bitter, chastening blow. 
Oh, I loved thee ! and it cheered me 

In my hours of care and pain. 
And it seemed as if the brightness, 

And the sunshine came again. 
I have loved thee, loved thee, darling. 

In the sunshine and the storm ; 
I have loved thee in the evening, 
. And the dewy, early morn ; 
I have loved thee, 4oved thee ever, 

As a monarch loves his. throne, 
And I'll oease to love thee, never. 

My heart's treasure, all my own. 

SPEziK NOT THE WORD. 

Speak not the cruel, cruel word, 

That bids us part forever ; 
The ties of love we've often pledged. 

Do not, I pray thee, sever. 
Reflect upon the vows w^e've made ; 

Of all the love-words spoken ; 
But, oh, do not allow those vows 

To be so rudely broken. 
I've given thee my heart's best love, 

My life's most true devotion ; 
I've poured my very soul into 

Love's holy, pure emotion. 



91 



Then do not speak the cruel word 

That bids us part foreverj 
Oh, do not in a moment's haste 

Each tender bond now sever. 

SHADOWS. 

Let not the shadows overcast 

Thy young life with their gioom, 
And rob the sky of softest light — 

The rose bud of its bloom. 
Let hope rise up within thy heart, 

And firmly hold her sway, 
Until the clouds are swept aside, 

And brightly dawns the day. 
ivepine not when the shadows fall, 

Be brave, be true, be just, 
And they will prove but powerless 

To prostrate thee in dust ; 
And bear in mind, oli, youthful heart, 

With wildly, throbbing breast, 
"The harder that the struggle is, 

The sweeter is the rest." 
No life below is free from clouds, 

No rose without a thorn ; 
But knowing this need not exert 

An influence sad, forlorn ; 
For, if we bravely meet each ill, 

And trust in God above, 
We'll find the flowers bright, below. 

And hearts filled with true love. 



92 



TWILIGHT VISITANTS. 

The shadows lengthen slowly now, 

The sun has gone to rest, 
His last beams kiss the mountain brow 

And gild the glowing west. 
The daily toils are over now, 

The aching hands are free, 
The heated head and throbbing brow 

Feel no more misery. 

The moistened leaves and fragrant flowers, 

Nod faintly in the breeze, 
And perfume floats around the bowers. 

And birds have sought the trees. 
The pulse of nature beats so low. 

That life seems almost gone. 
The earth is nearer Heaven I know. 

Than 'twas at early morn. 

As I look up towards the sky, 

The sky so fair and blue, 
I see the angels passing by, 

And all of Heaven in fancy view ; 
I hear the rustling of their wings, 

I hear their voices sweet. 
And many blessings here they bring, 

And comforts pure and meet. 

The loved and lost come back to us, 

In this sweet hour of rest. 
We feel the transport of caress 

From spirits pure and blest. 



93- 

It nerves us with a firmer will 

To battle on in life, 
And bids us not give up until 

We pass this world of strife. 



HOPE ON, HOPE EVER. 

■Oh, never give dark sorrow sway. 

And droop in gloomy sadness ; 
But let Hope's brightess, purest ray 
Point to a happier, calmer day 

Of joy, and peace, and gladness. 
The heart of man was never made 

To entertain eternal sorrow ; 
The light must mingle with the shade, 
Flowers bloom, then wither, fade, 

But bloom again to-morrow. 
What if the prospects all seem drear. 

And sky o'ercast with clonds ? 
We know that sunbeams linger near, 
And will ere long to us appear. 

Beneath their gloomy shrouds. 
Then cast all gloom and care aside. 

And cherish blessed hope. 
And know the earth is broad and wide, 
And hours of life so quickly glide 

Adown the sunny slope. 



94 



LINES 

On the death of an infant. 

Fold the little wasted hands 

Over the still breast, 
Shut the whitened eyelids down, 

Baby's gone to rest. 
Speak in only whispered tones, 

Near the pulseless form, 
From which the spirit now has fled,. 

To the angels gone. 
Every pain is over now, 

Agony has fled. 
Do not weep in sorrow sore 

For little baby dead, 
He has gone to Ileaven above. 

Gone to peace and rest. 
His little spirit watches you 

From mansions of the blest. 



TO A FKIEND. 

'Tis not of love Fd sing 

To thee, fair friend, to-night, 
For songs of love from me 

Would give thee no delight ; 
But I would wish thee well, 

Would twine a poet's wreath 
Of friendship's fairest flowers. 

And affection o'er it breath. 



95 



May skies above thy head 

Be always cloudless, fixir, 
May God in Heaven above 

Shield thy young heart from cart 
May friendship ne'er prove false, 

May hopes ne'er fade away. 
May sorrows never come 

To darken oTie bright day. 

And may thy life below, 

Be bless'd by earnest love ; 
May angels bright and pure 

From the fair realms above, 
Guard thee from every harm, 

And strew along thy way. 
The flowers of peace and joy, 

Where'er thy footsteps stray. 



A PREMONITION. 
My heart is filled with anguish, 

I can scarce repress the tears. 
As flitting through my troubled mind 

Are many sliadowy fears ; 
They're draped in midnight black uess» 

Undefined and very dim, 
But they bring a deeper sadness 

Than a solemn funeral hvmn. 



96 



Oh, it seems as if tiie grave yard 

Of my heart was soon to ope. 
To receive the lifeless treasures 

Of some dearly cherished hope, 
As if some fragrant, blooming flower, 

From the wreath of earnest love, 
Was about to be transplanted 

To the garden up above. 

Coming sorrows very often 

Oast their shadows far before. 
Then when we least expect them 

They enter in the door, 
And turn our joys to mourning. 

All our sunshine into cl"ouds, 
And it seems like some sure warnings 

That my spirit now enshrouds. 

And I cannot shake thy mantle 

Which has fallen over me, 
Prom my heart that e'en at present 

Feels such keen, deep misery. 
Gentle spirits in bright heaven, 

Send some comfort to me now. 
Drive this dark and dread forebodings 

From my heart and from my brow.. 



BAOTEE OF LIGHT: 

An Exponent o" th-^ Spiritual Philosophy of 
the ISTinGteerith Century. 



PUBLISHED "WEEKLY 

AT No. 1S8 WASHINGTON ST., BOSTON, MASS. 
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From the Press. — This new, spicy, wide-awake exponent ol 
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"As to quality of thought. I have considered your paper decidely 
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